Thursday, February 18, 2010

When "BIG" Is Better!!

Today I am going to ask you to do something that might be a little difficult for some. I am about to show you some pictures of rooms that you may or may not like. In each of these rooms there is one common thread, a large statement piece of art. I know that design and artwork can be very subjective. That is why I am about to ask you to look at the following pictures with this one question in your mind. What would this room look like without this piece of art? I think if you are honest with yourself, in most cases the art makes the room. Are you ready to let your personal taste go out the window and to look at the room from a design point of view? I told you this might be a little difficult. Here we go........

This is a very striking room in of itself, but without the art it would not be as spectacular. This is not my own personal taste at all; However I can not imagine this room without this art piece now that I have seen it this way.

Take notice of the unusual light fixture. Did you notice the two large trays holding accessories on the huge ottoman? Lots and lots of interest in this room. How do you feel about the black doors? Okay, back to the art.

Although the art on these walls is in the form of sculpture, the large pieces are what make this room speak, "I am special."

In this picture the art is setting the mood for the entire space.

I love this setting. Notice that the small birds on the table are picking up the color that is in the artwork. If this wall were blank it would just be a bit boring. A wall grouping of art would have become too busy and crowded here. The only thing that would truly work would be a large statement piece. I could see a large floor style mirror in an elaborate white gloss frame, but we are talking about statement art pieces today, so shall we move along?

A couple of things going on in this picture. Who says you can't put art in a kitchen. The colors are just fresh and fun. The subject matter is full of whimsy. I can tell by this picture that this would be a very fun house to visit. Notice the chair back covers, they appear to be just pillow cases embellished with large over-sized buttons. How fun is that?

Although this painting is not terribly large, it still is a statement piece. Without it the room would almost be dull and lack-luster. This painting introduces a great pop of cobalt!

I know the dogs are really cute and they almost steal the show in this photo. I must say this is a personal favorite of mine. I am drawn to this painting. The bright colors bring so much life to the room. Even though we have the color pops of tangerine, I think the art work brings the room all together. If you look closely at the painting there is just a touch of the same tangerine color in what appears to be the church steps.

Another piece that makes the room. Have you noticed that in many of the rooms, colors are pulled out of the painting into the rest of the room. Love the wall color and, look at that coffee table! Okay back to looking at the art.

Amazing! Most would probably say a bit over-sized, but if you take it out of the room, the room would look like it was missing something and.... it would be!

Amazing! I need say no more.

Notice the scale of all the pieces in this room. The low furniture and lamps, the large overscaled vases, low slung chairs. I think that is why this over-sized piece of art works so well in this room. This look is hard to pull off but someone did it very well.

A very traditional room that would look a bit too formal if it were not for the great piece of art above the sofa. The artwork here is making this room work.

This is actually a photo of Max and Company, one of Phoebe Howard's lovely shops. Pretty amazing!

I think you already know what I am going to say about this photo from Metropolitan Home magazine. Love, love the art work.

Another picture of Phoebe Howard's shop, Mrs. Howard's. The perfect statement piece is the artwork in this room.

Sorry! I could not resist!!!

Now that you have looked at all of these rooms and visualized them without their statement piece of art, would you agree the rooms would just not be as dramatic or complete without the large piece of art? I know it was hard to not look at the pictures without thinking about if you liked the piece or not. You can tell by me pointing out the ones that I did like that I did not like all of the other artwork for my own personal taste or home. The point is too open your eyes to new things and learn from them and you might be surprised at what you might be adding to your own home in the future. Afterall decorating is a process and one that should be enjoyed. I hope you enjoyed this little journey in the land of......BIG ART!!

"Enjoy the Process" Of: Adding a statement piece of art to your rooms.

15 comments:

I always look at interior design with a subjective eye. Not everyone has the same tastes. What a boring world, indeed, if everyone dressed/decorated the same.

I love large pieces of art. Especially when it doesn't fight with the room or the room fight with the art.

I like the kitchen, you show, 6th from top, That room would fit in well,with our home and style. In fact there are several images that are very appealing to me. Not all, though. But I'm not saying they are wrong. They are just not right for our home.

this is a hard one, b/c art is so subjective! I see a lot of bad art in these, which is common in beautiful interiors, b/c sometimes designers just look for filler at a big art showroom in the design center. But that first picture, that is a TWOMBLY....wow. that could pay for a house alone that painting. gorgeous!! And the one below is is my second favourite. Having said that, if the homeowner loves it and it's hideous, i guess it's gotta hang anyways! maybe though make that a small piece. hahahhI say yes to big statement pieces. Great post Kathysue!

Kathysue, you are right. Some of those spaces would not look right without the art. I love that dog pic in the kitchen, too cute. I love the art on the mantel in the two rooms you said you liked, too. Love the huge painting in the diningroom. How unique!!

I love large pieces of artwork, although I really don't have anything huge. I do think it is what I need for over my bed now...I'm watching for something. I really like the dog in the kitchen picture...surprises me that I do. I have to say that those sculpture gold things are my least favorite...really don't like them, but that is just me! Great post. I'm trying to catch up, I missed a couple days with a migraine.

Great post. I know you know by my huge mirror and large art pieces that I do think large art can make a room. Much better than a lot of tiny pictures which can be very cluttered looking. You do always find the best pics. Hope your day is super. Hugs, Marty

Yes, the picture with the dogs happens to be a favorite of mine too! (the painting, the room, AND the dogs....)But I also really like the dining room above it: I like that the painting is so...off center (not to mention the great blue color)Nice post.

I love large pieces of art that make a definite statement! All of these rooms would not be the same if not for the art. Love the kitchen and yes, I love the black doors! :-) The room with the ballet sculptures does not speak to me at all but that's what makes the world go round, right? We don't all think or decorate the same.Thanks so much for sharing the pics and yes, the striped chairs are gorgeous.

Kathysue, you know I LOVE this post! I really like large, important pieces of art. Unfortunately our home does not have much open wall space - lots of windows and weird short walls. But I'm still looking for just the right thing for the sofa wall. We were going to commission a friend to do a piece, but that darn money tree keeps getting in the way lol. We may just pick a favorite photo and print it on canvas! I really do agree that none of these rooms would be the same without the art, and some would not work at all without it. But my favorite is that kitchen. Love the room, and love the whimsey of the artwork. Great post! Hugs, Kat